ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Burlington House, Piccadilly London W1J 0BQ, UK T: 020 7734 4582/ 3307 F: 020 7494 0166 [email protected] www.ras.org.uk Registered Charity 226545
C(2017/02) 2.1
Minutes of the Council Meeting of 9th December 2016
Professor John Zarnecki, Professor Ian Crawford, Dr Nigel Berman, Professor Yvonne Elsworth, Professor Don Kurtz, Professor Hiranya Peiris, Professor Christine Peirce, Dr Mandy Bailey, Dr Lyndsay Fletcher, Professor Martin Bureau, Miss Jane MacArthur, Dr Stacey Habergham, Professor Mike Bode, Dr Paul Daniels, Professor Giovanna Tinetti, Professor Michael Watson, Dr Catriona Jackman, Dr Sheila Peacock, Professor Sara Russell.
1. INTRODUCTION/APOLOGIES
The Executive Director advised that Professor Brad Gibson will not be attending as he and his family had been involved in a road traffic accident. Council passed on their best wishes.
2. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
The Minutes of the meeting of 14th October 2016 were approved with one change: under Treasurers business the net cost incurred to the Society for NAM 2016 was £22 407.
The following points were raised under matters arising:
Professor Mike Bode advised that the joint EWASS & NAM meeting will be held on the 3rd to 6th April 2018 in Liverpool. The Executive Secretary had asked Sarah Matthews to confirm if UCL were able to support NAM 2019. The impact of leaving the EU will be discussed at forthcoming Astronomy and Geophysics fora. Council will be asked to consider a paper on additional resources for IT and information management in February 2016. The librarian had arranged tours of the Annexe and a display of Society treasures for new members of Council. The Society will not be represented at the AAS winter meeting in January 2017. The Russell lecturer, Professor Christopher McKee, will present at NAM 2017 in Hull.
[POST COUNCIL NOTE: the AAS have drafted a MOU on the arrangements for the exchange lectures between them and the Society.] 3. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS The President advised that discussions with likeminded Societies on the impact of Brexit on Astronomy and Geophysics and science funding were on going and reminded Council that the Society had provided evidence to the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee inquiry. It was also noted that he and the Executive had attended a number of Christmas receptions with Parliamentarians and other Societies that were useful opportunities to discuss shared challenges.
It was noted that Council would be asked to approve financial support for a policy officer at the Campaign for Science and Engineering, CaSE, under agenda item 6.6
The President had met with Katherine Wright, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, and had attended meetings in preparation for the recent ESA ministerial; he noted that the financial settlement for the ESA Research Directorate and its allocation to missions was flat cash with no increase for inflation. The decreasing value of sterling would also reduce the spending power of the contribution from the UK.
The Society had received a request from the Astronomical Science Group of Ireland (ASGI) for the Society to consider affiliation. Council agreed that they were happy to agree to this in principle.
It was noted that the President and Treasurer had met with a donor whose financial contribution supports part of the grants awarded annually.
[POST COUNCIL NOTE: the President has arranged to invite the donor to the dining club as a small token of appreciation.]
4. TREASURER’S BUSINESS a) Finance Committee Membership
Council discussed the membership of the Finance Committee and approved the following membership as of December 2016:
Elected Members
Tim Horbury 1st Term, 2 years remaining Gail Campbell Appointed from December 2106 for a three year term.
Ex Officio
Nigel Berman (Chair) Treasurer 4.5 years remaining Mandy Bailey Secretary (A)1.5 years remaining Pamela Mortimer Executive Director Mark Piper (Secretary) Accountant Michael Kyriakides Senior Accountant
Council noted with the thanks the service of the following previous members of the Finance Committee, Allan Willis, Kieron Leech and Jose Gonzales.
Jane McArthur volunteered to serve on the Finance Committee once her term as Councillor was complete in May 2017. b) Restricted Funds
Council noted that the Treasurer, Executive Director and Accountant had met the external auditors Buzzacott to discuss how to best manage restricted funds (i.e. which might be either run down, amalgamated or replaced with designated funds.)
It was noted that many of the restricted funds are too small to fulfil their stated purpose in a substantial way and are frequently supplemented from general funds. c) Research Fellowships
The Treasurer advised that he had obtained legal advice on the terms of research fellowships from Birketts LLP. Council were reminded that the terms of the fellowship are silent on items such as breaks in service. Although the RAS is not the direct employer of the research fellows it does need to act with regard to employment law and the reputation of the society. There is no standard model amongst fellowships that may be easily followed.
The Treasurer advised that his ambition is to establish a policy where the Society determines an amount of funding available for a research fellow, paid in instalments over the agreed period to the host institution, which is the employer and takes on all responsibility for managing career breaks etc. and how it uses up the available funds. He advised that it would be advantageous to the Society if it could seek a general indemnity from the host institution against any employment related actions that the research fellow might take.
It was noted that the current Fellowship documentation needs to be updated for other legal reasons too, for example the calling notice/advertisements for the Norman Lockyer Fellowships had previously stated an upper age limit which is not allowed.
[POST COUNCIL NOTE: The Treasurer will ask Council to approve a revised set of guidelines for RAS Research Fellowships in March 2017.]
The Treasurer reminded that the present level of funding of research fellowships will not be sustainable in the future if the RAS wishes to continue with a full programme of grant making and other activities; this would become more apparent if the Society is required to pay higher rent for its premises (the latter was discussed under agenda item 5.2)
Council discussed the possibility of fundraising. The Executive Director reminded Council of deliberations on this matter over the last few years. The Treasurer and Executive Director had attended training course on how to approach possible donors and undertake fundraising; the key take home point was that you need to do this properly or risk it backfiring, especially when potential donors scrutinise the balance sheet and see healthy reserves. Council had previously considered funding a part time fundraising post but had agreed that funding should be allocated to higher priority activities. d) E-payments
Council noted that the Society is now making e-payments through World Pay. The previous provider PayPal had retained payments that will now be released following the termination of their service. e) Renewals/Re-competition
Council noted that the five year contract with OUP runs to the end of 2017 and that the present contract produces a much higher revenue than did the previous contract with Blackwell and Wiley. The Treasurer advised that if the contract were to be opened for competition the process would have to start in the first quarter of 2017. He advised that five years in itself is long enough to demand considering a change and proposed that the editorial teams are canvassed to explore any perceived shortcomings in their engagement with OUP and that the outcome will inform if there is a necessity to put the contract to tender and offer points to negotiate at renewal. Council approved this proposed way ahead. ACTION: Treasurer to update Council.
Council noted that the fund managers, Newton, who manage the bulk of the RAS investments, have been in place since 2008, their performance has been strong compared to benchmarks and similar managers and the Society has been happy with the investment returns and reporting that they have given. The Treasurer noted that it is considered best practice that fund managers should be reviewed regularly and that ten years would demand a review. Council agreed that a review should be carried out at the end of 2017/start of 2018. ACTION: Treasurer f) Statement of Bank Balances and Investments
Council noted the following balances as of 30th November 2016:
1. HSBC BANK Account Name Account Number Balance £
Deposit/Money Manager 21664522 3,735,881 Account Restricted Funds Account 21664530 18,006 Pension Fund Account 51665456 23,138
Total 3,777,025
2. NATWEST Account Name Account Number Balance £ Current Account 60671688 56,727
Total 56,727
Council also noted the statement of Investment Holdings at 31st October 2016
BNY MELLON/NEWTON INVESTMENTS
Account Name Price (1 = par) Balance £ Newton Growth and Income Funds for Charities (RAS) 1.2182 7,137,831 Newton Growth and Income Funds for Charities (Paneth) 1.2182 360,070 Total 7,497,901 g) Tax Residency Status of Trustees The Treasurer explained that HSBC had requested details of the Tax Residency Status of all the Trustees of the Society and asked Trustees to provide confirmation of their tax residency status to the accountant, Mark Piper. He noted that the Society will assume that Trustees have UK Tax residency Status unless otherwise informed.
5. ORGANISATION AND STRUCTURE
5.1 RAS Council Elections 2017
a) Composition of the ballot sheet
Professor Ian Crawford declared a conflict of interest and withdrew from discussion on this item. Professor Lyndsay (G secretary) and Dr Mandy Bailey (A Secretary) reviewed the nominations received for positions on Council in 2017.
They noted that a range of good candidates had applied and the unusual situation that few Astronomy candidates had applied, however the requirements set in the Byelaws on the composition of Council would be met. They noted that the range of disciplines represented, the age range of candidates and the likely male/female ratio after the election were all fine.
It was noted that one of the candidates was not a Fellow at the time of completing the application paperwork and therefore was ineligible to apply for a position in 2017.
ACTION: Executive Director to advise the ineligible candidate about the position and encourage him to apply next year.
b) Administration of the ballot
The Executive Director reminded Council that a data management and correspondence exercise had been carried out to determine how Fellows wanted to be contacted in general correspondence and for Council election matters. It was noted that between 21st Oct and 30th Nov 597 fellows have logged onto the membership database and 354 have made changes to their details. In addition a number of Fellows had either called or written to the Society to confirm the information held on them and check it was up to date. Fellows had been asked to confirm whether they preferred to be contacted by email or hard copy.
It was noted that as of 1st December 1097 Fellows have their ballot communication preference set to email 17 Fellows have their ballot communication preference set to hard copy 2755 Fellows had not expressed a preference for ballot correspondence.
The Deputy Executive Director advised that the IT and Information Manager, and the Membership Officer had spent a considerable amount of time checking and updating data and that the Society should have more confidence in the data that is now held.
The Executive Director advised that an update would be provided at the February Council meeting and a recommendation made as to how to manage the ballot communication for 2017 and in future years. ACTION: Executive Director
Scrutiny of the ballot The Executive Director reminded Council that they approved the regulation on the scrutiny of the ballot in December 2015 and that in February 2017 they will be asked to approve the members of the scrutiny panel that will serve at the forthcoming election in May 2017. Council proposed that it becomes standard practice to ask a previous honorary auditor to serve as a member of the scrutiny. ACTION: Executive Director
5.2 Confidential – for Council only
5.3 Contravention of RAS Code of Conduct
Professor Stephen Serjeant introduced his paper on an alleged contravention to the Society’s Code of Conduct by a Fellow who had been charged and found guilty of multiple offences including:
downloading indecent still and moving images of children possession of many other indecent images possessing a manual on how to abuse children sexually outraging public decency for a series of acts.
Council were advised that the judge had placed the Fellow on the sex offenders' register and adjourned the case for sentencing on the 20th of January 2017. Professor Serjeant sought Council’s agreement to expel the Fellow as his actions had had brought the Society into disrepute.
Council discussed at length the type of evidence that they would consider acceptable as evidence of a contravention of the Society’s Code of Conduct and how to manage this matter in accordance with Code.
Council agreed that the Fellow should be advised that the allegation had been made and that following consideration Council had agreed there was a case to answer therefore Officers of the Society would conduct an investigation.
1 Byelaw 45: Whenever it may appear to the Council from written accusations by a member or members that a member may have acted materially in contradiction to this Code or has otherwise engaged in conduct likely to bring the Society into disrepute, the Council shall cause the matter to be examined by Officers. The procedure for such an examination shall be decided by Council, within the principles of natural justice, and in a way that respects the rights of all participants. The examination shall be documented. At the end of the examination, the Officers shall submit a report to Council for their consideration. If the Council concludes that the accused member has indeed acted materially in contradiction to the Code or has brought the Society into disrepute then the Council 5.4 Committee memberships a) Library Committee
Council approved the membership of the Library Committee as of December 2016.
Members:
Mr Lee McDonald (Chair; appointed for a 3 year term) Mr Mark Hurn (one year left to serve, second term) Dr Robert Smith (appointed for a second three year term)
Ex-Officio:
Chair of the Heritage Committee Senior Secretary Executive Director Librarian and Archivist
Council noted that two additional members were being recruited and noted with gratitude the service of Dr Simon Mitton and Professor Philipa Browning who had rotated off the Committee. b) Heritage Committee.
Council noted that an update on the membership of the Heritage Committee would be provided in February 2017.
[POST COUNCIL NOTE: Professor Mike Edmunds, Chair of the Heritage |Committee advises that a new Chair has been agreed and a revised membership list will be provided to Council for approval in March 2017.] c) Committee on Diversity for Astronomy and Geophysics
Council approved the membership of CDAG as of December 2016:
Members:
Dr Stacy Habergham (Chair; on Council, diversity champion, first term) Dr A Norton (to continue until suitable replacement from incoming Council is found) Professor Lyndsay Fletcher (new G secretary to replace when appointed) Professor Vik Dhillon (first term ends Feb 2016, continue to serve second term) Dr Stephen Serjeant (on Council, newly appointed, first term)
Other attendance:
shall determine whether the accused member should be expelled, or whether another lesser sanction should be applied as the Council shall think fit. • Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer (Secretary) • Executive Director and/or the Deputy Executive Director • Other subject matters experts from other relevant organisations will attend by invitation. d) Education and Outreach Committee
Council approved the membership of the EOC Committee as of December 2016:
Members:
• Becky Parker (Institute for Research in Schools, Chair) • Taj Bhutta (IOP, first term) • Don Kurtz (UCLan, on Council) • David Swinscoe (City and Islington College, second term) • Neville Hollingworth (STFC, second term) • Mandy Bailey (RAS secretary) • David Waltham (Royal Holloway, second term) • Paul Denton (BGS, first term) • Susan Snow (Cotswold Astronomical Society, to be confirmed) • At least one representative for robotic telescopes will attend each meeting: - Andy Newsam (NSO, second term) - Paul Roche (Faulkes Telescope, second term) - John Baruch (Bradford Robotic Telescope, second term)
Other attendance:
• Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer (Secretary) • Executive Director and/or the Deputy Executive Director • Other subject matters experts from other relevant organisations will attend by invitation.
It was noted that a new Council member will be required to take Professor Don Kurtz’s position when he rotates off Council in May 2017. e) Finance Committee
This was discussed under agenda item 3. f) International Committee
Council approved the membership of the International Committee as of December 2016
Members:
Professor Phil Charles, University of Southampton (Chair; one year left to serve) Professor Patricia Whitelock, University of Cape Town (one year left to serve) Professor Siraj Hasan, IAA-Bangalore (one year left to serve) Professor John Webb, University of NSW (one year left to serve) Dr Euan Monaghan, University of Leiden (one year left to serve) Dr Becky Parker (Chair, Education and Outreach Committee) Dr Sue Bowler (Editor, A&G) Mr Marcus Hope (Chair, Membership Committee) Professor Lyndsay Fletcher (G Secretary)
Ex-Officio:
Executive Director and/or the Deputy Executive Director
5.5 Minutes of the Committee on Diversity in Astronomy and Geophysics
Council noted the minutes of the Committee on Diversity in Astronomy and Geophysics held on the 24th November 2016.
5.6 Minutes of the Library Committee
Council noted the minutes of the Library Committee held on the 24th October 2016.
5.7 Minutes of the Education and Outreach Committee
Council noted the minutes of the Education and Outreach Committee held on the 27th October 2015.
5.8 Bicentenary Planning
Council noted that the Bicentenary Planning group will meet in the New Year and will provide Council with updates on proposed activities at the March Council meeting.
Council noted that the commemorative book proposals were not discussed in any detail at the last meeting therefore the Executive Director provided a short summary. Council were reminded that Dr Simon Mitton (who was a Councillor in early 2016) was to provide estimates on a coffee table book and a history book. He has been reviewing these options and has provided the following update:
Coffee table book
Dr Mitton advises that the proposal for a coffee table book on the treasures and archives of RAS will not be possible because it is too difficult a product for a publisher to market, and would be too expensive for RAS to do without a publishing partner.
History of the RAS
Dr Mitton advises that a possible option is to commission a history of the Society from a professional historian and that this could possibly be funded through a Book Grant of up to £40,000. The Announcement of Opportunity should have some condition that the history is published by an academic publisher at no cost to the Society.
Council were asked to consider whether they would like further work done on the proposal for the History of the RAS. There was no firm support for doing any further work on these proposals.
Council noted that the Society has been approached by a publisher to work collaboratively with the Royal Observatory Greenwich to produce a hardcover book that might present an opportunity to show case some of the photographic treasures of the Society and make mention of the forthcoming Bicentenary. (Note : Details were provided to Council but have been omitted in the minutes due to commercial sensitivities.)
Council agreed that the Treasurer and Executive Director could agree a contract if considered a viable option.
5.9 RAS Research Fellowships
Dr Caitriona Jackman introduced her paper that proposed two changes to the current RAS Research Fellowships terms:
- Remove the line “Only one RAS Research Fellowship may be held in the same university (as listed by UCAS) at any one time. - Add a line to state that “Host institutions can include universities (as listed by UCAS) or other research-active institutions”.
Council deliberated on the merits of the current and proposed new policies. Council voted on whether the restriction of only one RAS Research Fellowship to be held in the same university at any one time be removed. Council voted against this proposal.
Council voted on a compromise position, proposed by Professor Stephen Serjeant, which sought to accommodate the occasion when the incumbent of a RAS Research Fellowship takes a career or other such breaks thereby stopping the host university from applying for another Fellowship until their time in post is over. He proposed that a time limit of 3 years is set. Council approved this proposal; the guidance will be modified accordingly.
Council agreed that the guidance should be redrafted to state that host institutions can include universities and other not for profit research active institutions.
5.10 Out-of-Town Public Lecture - bicentenary celebrations of the RAS
Council approve funding for five out-of-town public lectures to be held over the summer of 2020 as part of the bicentenary celebrations. These events should be held across the country in the west of England, the north of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A budget of £7.5K was approved to support all 5 meetings.
6. POLICY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
6.1 Progress Report: RAS 200 Sky and Earth
The Deputy Executive Director updated Council on progress on RAS 200: Sky and Earth.
During the period September to December, the Society convened 10 ‘town hall’ meetings across the UK and Ireland, supported by various members of the Steering Group. The deadline for outline proposals closed on 9 December 2016, with 60 submissions made. The Grants Panel meets on 8 February, and will invite 12-15 consortia to submit full proposals.
6.2 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: Satellites and Space inquiry: Government response
Council noted the above paper. For information, the response can be found at https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmsctech/830/830.pdf
6.3 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research
The Deputy Executive Director reminded Council that the Society submitted evidence to this inquiry, set up immediately after the vote to leave the EU on 23 June. The Committee report is now available, and restates many of the concerns of the scientific community:
Council noted that the full report is available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmsctech/502/502.pdf
6.4 Autumn statement
Council noted the summary on the Autumn Statement, given by the Chancellor of Exchequer to Parliament on 23 November. In particular:
As in previous years, various parts of the Statement were pre-announced, including a pledge to increase R&D spending by £2bn a year by 2020. The commitment, made by Prime Minister Teresa May at the CBI conference, is party as a result of concerns about the potential impact of a ‘hard Brexit’ on UK science spending. The uplift in investment will be part of a new National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF). The details of this are not yet clear, but the R&D component of the NPIF seems to be targeting technology commercialisation via an Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, and her speech referred to at least some of the resources going there.
Some of the additional funding will also be allocated to “increase research capacity and business innovation, to further support the UK’s world-leading research base and to unlock its full potential.”
The paper indicates that the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the body set to sit above the existing Research Councils once the Higher Education and Research Bill completes its passage through Parliament, will allocate this second tranche of funding on the basis of excellence, and it will include a substantial increase via Innovate UK. In parallel, there is some work being done by STFC and other bodies to establish the proportion of research in those areas currently supported by EU Horizon 2020 funding. If these grants are lost after Brexit, the new (and undoubtedly welcome) R&D funds may not cover the loss, particularly if they are targeted at applied research.
Council noted that the following links provide more detail: https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/economy/taxation/news/80965/full-text- theresa-mays-speech-cbi https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/571559 /autumn_statement_2016_web.pdf http://www.sciencecampaign.org.uk/news-media/case-comment/case-responds-to-the- prime-minister-s-announcement.html
6.5 MPs with science portfolios Council noted the following recent changes in the portfolios of MPs with science responsibilities.
Stephen Metcalfe MP elected chair of Science and Technology Committee Stephen Metcalfe, Conservative MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is the new chair of the Science and Technology Committee. Elected by MPs, he led a field of five to win after the fourth round of voting.
See https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons- select/science-and-technology-committee/news-parliament-2015/chair-elected- october-2016/
Chi Onwurah MP becomes Shadow Science Minister Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne Central, has been appointed as the Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Science and Innovation, as well as retaining her existing portfolio as Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport. (The overlap arises in part from the difficulty Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has in persuading MPs to join his Shadow Cabinet, and the party’s on-going tensions, as Chi herself acknowledged in an article in Research Fortnight.) Chi held the science post for a short time in the previous parliament, and met with then RAS President Roger Davies and the Deputy Executive Director. She is a strong advocate of diversity in STEMM (she occasionally ‘retweets’ our announcements on this), and as a former engineer, has an affinity with the subject in general. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/11/lets-recreate-economy-put- man-moon
6.6 CaSE Policy Officer: request for support
Council considered the request from the Campaign for Science and Engineering for a Policy Officer dedicated to work on the impact of Brexit on science in the UK. The post, for 2 years from the spring of 2017, needs support from CaSE member societies. Council agreed in principle to support the policy officer at a level of £2k per year for 2 years.
[POST COUNCIL NOTE: CaSE now has support in place from 12 member organisations, including the RAS, and will proceed to recruit to the policy officer post.]
7 PUBLICATIONS
7.1 Policy on institutional affiliations in MNRAS
Council considered again their position in regards to the issue of institutional affiliations of authors presented in MNRAS papers. This subject had been discussed at the July and October meetings; additional information had been provided in regards to OUP’s thoughts on the use of a footnote disclaimer, how the Geological Society of London manage such matters and the opinion of the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers.
Council voted on the following options: to not take any action on this matter to follow UN designations to adopt a stance similar to that taken by the AAS.
The vote was in favour of adopting a similar position to that of the AAS.
The AAS will include a statement in its journals to say that: ‘ Whilst the AAS journals adhere to and respect UN resolutions regarding the designations of territories (available at www.un.org/press/en) it is our policy to use the affiliations provided by our authors on published articles’
OUP will be advised of the decision of Council on this matter and asked to take things forward. ACTION: Executive Director
8 OTHER
8.1 Medals and Awards 2016, (Award Committee Chairs)
Papers with the recommendations for medals and awards for 2017 had been tabled. The President asked that anyone with a conflict of interest should leave the room, Professor Lyndsay Fletcher withdrew.
Professor Don Kurtz updated Council on the very strong field of applications that the A awards Committee had considered. He highlighted that fact that the field was so strong for the Fowler award that he recommended that an award be given for both theory and observation.
Professor Yvonne Elsworth updated Council on the applications received for the G awards and medals, again a very strong field was considered. She drew attention to following points raised by the G Awards Committee
Principle Investigators within the Group Award were also nominated for other awards. The G Committee support this. Proposal that the guidance should be amended to state that any nominated Group should not involve just one single department but require co-ordination over several institutions, etc. Proposal that the first teleconference should be held earlier in the process to give more time to review the initial nominations.
Council thanked the Committee Chairs and noted their comments.
Council approved the following Award and Medal winners:
Astronomy
Gold Medal: Professor Nick Kaiser, Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii Eddington Medal: Professor Cathie Clarke, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge Herschel Medal: Professor Simon Lilly, Institute of Astronomy, ETH Zurich Jackson-Gwilt Medal: Dr Ian Parry, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge Agnes Clerke Medal: Professor Clive Ruggles, University of Leicester Fowler Award: Dr Jonathan Pritchard, Imperial College London Winton Capital Award: Dr Cosimo Inserra, Astrophysics Research Centre, Queen’s University Belfast Group Achievement Award: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) team Service Award: Mr Derek Fry, Leeds Grammar School George Darwin Lecture: Professor Catherine Heymans, University of Edinburgh Honorary Fellowships: Professor Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand Professor Michael Thompson, National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA
Geophysics
• Gold Medal: Professor Michele Dougherty, Imperial College London • Chapman Medal: Dr Mervyn Freeman, British Antarctic Survey • Price Medal: Professor Richard Holme, University of Liverpool • Fowler Award: Dr Christopher Chen, Imperial College London • Winton Capital Award: Dr Zhonghua Yao, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL • Group Achievement Award: SuperDARN • Service Award: Professor Richard Harrison, RAL Space • Harold Jeffreys Lecture: Professor Tim Wright, University of Leeds • James Dungey Lecture: Professor Christopher Owen, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL • Honorary Fellowship: Professor Maria Zuber
8.2 Patrick Moore Medal
Council noted the summary of the Patrick Moore Medal panel meeting held on the 27th October 2016 and that further efforts to encourage more nominations for teachers in state schools will be made in future years
Society staff will work with the robotic telescope projects, the National Space Academy, the Institute of Physics, IRS, and EdExcel, to promote the medal next year.
Council approved the following for the Patrick Moore Medal:
Winner: Tim Browett
8.3 Annie Maunder Medal
Council noted the summary of the Annie Maunder Medal panel meeting held on the 27th October 2016 and approved the following:
Winner: Marek Kukula
8.4 Officers Reports
Council approved the following candidates proposed for Fellowship
Last Name First Name Town Sponsor Jenkins Jack Michael Dorking David Long Murphy Pearse Dublin David Long
Curtis Geoff Edward Weybridge Timothy Parsons Wharton Samuel James Leicester Steve Milan James Rachel Louise Milton Keynes Anita Dawes Allan Timothy Grant Bromley Carl Murray Ferdman Robert Norwich Patrick Weltevrede Parry Ian Robert Cambridge Richard McMahon Whalen Daniel James Portsmouth Robert Crittenden Amos Nicholas James Manchester Iain McDonald Miller Nicola Jane Coventry Thomas Marsh Brettle Harriet London Carl Murray Windmill Richard Joseph Milton Mahesh Anand Van Damme Henrik-Jan St Andrews Ineke De Moortel Thomas Andrew Binnie James London Johnathan Pritchard Haines Spencer David High Peak Barbara Hassall Sobral David Lancaster Sarah Badman Heffernan Clarke David Nottingham Andrew Norton Li Jia Hui Shanghai Shude Mao Fahey Liam Ashford Carl Murray Whitbread Timothy James Oliver Durham Anthony Yeates Naidoo Krishna Hounslow Ian Howarth Schmidt Franziska Dorothea London Ian Howarth Spencer Duncan Allestree Andrew Norton McMahon Barry St Neots Sean McMahon Andrews Holly Maddra London Ian Howarth Mahony Constance London Ian Howarth Friday Tracey Lancaster Roger Clowes Johnston Harry Shantanu London Ian Howarth Parekh Rutu Bristol James Wookey Streeter Paul Michael Milton Keynes Andrew Norton Swann Elizabeth Portsmouth Robert Crittenden Bush David Christopher Horndean M J Hardcastle Chambers Emma Southampton Derek Keir Sargeant Hannah Marie Milton Keynes Andrew Morse Wright Jack Belfast Carole Haswell Malyali Adam London Ian Howarth Mahatma Vijay St Albans M J Hardcastle Bhachu Tanveer Canterbury Michael Smith Rey Martin London Ian Howarth Membership Huarte-Espinosa Martin Houston committee Smith Mark David Oxford Jocelyn Bell Burnell Quinn Courntey Rose Exeter Calire Foullon Majumdar Suman London Jonathan Pritchard Kamadan Mahmut London Carl Murray Faircloth Samantha Jane Battle Mahesh Anand Gordon Charlotte Fife Claire Cousins Isidro Mathieu Jean Macclesfield Philip Diamond Read Shaun Conisbee Weybridge M J Hardcastle Weinberger Lewis Harry Cambridge Mark Hurn Kovacs Krisztian London W B Somerville
Staniland Ned Russell London Carl Murray Fletcher Thomas London Ian Howarth Brown David Oxford Carl Murray Violino Giulio London M J Hardcastle Clampin Mark Greenbelt Martin Barstow McSweeney Adam Sevenoaks Christopher Welch Quin Pete Edmondson Bristol Roger Steer Fogg Alexandra Leicester Timothy Yeoman Matthews Samuel Alister Stowmarket Carl Murray Bamber Emily Oxford Kerri Hanna Zeng Shaoshan London Izaskun Serra Membership Burton Michael Graham Armagh committee Membership Collier John Scarborough committee O'Neill Alan Twyford M S Longair Higgitt Rebekah London Louise Devoy Newcastle upon Scullion Eamon Tyne Shaun Bloomfield Pattison Chris Waterlooville Robert Crittenden Pitchford David Andrew Leiwen Richard Horne Tenkanen Tommi London David Mulryne Mirmelstein Mark Brighton Stephen Wilkins Tazi Kenza London Marina Galand Newcastle upon Hindle Alexander William Tyne Paul Bushby Kennedy Kenneth Dundee David Gavine Woodham Lloyd David Dorking Robert Wicks Hanlon Lorraine Dublin John Zarnecki Keegans James Hull Yjan Gordon Hesterly Katie Manchester Patrick Leahy Wilson Andrew Bristol Tim Naylor Zavarygin Evgeny Sydney John Webb Cabrera Ziri Castro Ivan Liverpool Benjamin Davies Fox-Powell Mark St Andrews Claire Cousins Tomlinson David Ian Carshalton Michael Edmunds MacDonald Ryan Cambridge Mark Hurn Duffy Ryan Iver Heath Diana Worrell Bempong-Manful Emmanuel Hatfield M J Hardcastle Seargeant Tilly Elizabeth London Ian Crawford Dickinson Andrew Edinburgh Adam Stevens Newcastle Upon Ratnasingam Rathish Previn Tyne Anvar Shukurov Murray Peter Gordon Glasgow Graham Woan Gray Mark Vincent Newbury Barbara Hassall
8.5 Minutes of the A&G meeting October 2016
Council approved the Minutes of the A&G meeting held in October 2016.
8.6 Minutes of the A&G meeting November 2016
Council approved the Minutes of the A&G meeting held in November 2016. 9. AOB
a) Obituary
It was agreed that the Society would publish an obituary for Professor Vinicio Barocas who was Fellow who had passed away at the age of 102.
b) Retiring Chairs
The President thanked Sara Russel and Simon Mitton, retiring Chairs of CDAG and the Library Committee respectively.
Council rose at 3pm and enjoyed mulled wine and mine pies with RAS staff.
…………………………………. 10th February 2017 Professor J. Zarnecki